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Wike vs Secondus: New twist as Rivers court removes Secondus from PDP

Wike-Secondus

The rift between Governor Nyesom Wike and Uche Secondus, two prominent sons of Rivers State and topnotchers in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), took a sharp turn for the worse Monday, August 23, 2021, when a high court in a remote part of Rivers State issued an injunction restraining the national chairman of the party (Secondus) from parading himself as national chairman and as even member of the party.

Apparently not satisfied with the decision of the Board of Trustees of the PDP which had given Secondus a soft landing, Wike seems to have delivered his last card.

On Monday, August 23, 2021, a high court of Rivers State issued an interim injunction restraining Secondus from parading himself as the national chairman and member of the PDP.

Read More: PDP crisis: Reps caucus wants Secondus to resign

The judge, O. Gbasam of the Degema Judicial Division vacation court sitting in Port Harcourt granted the order following a suit No: PHC/2183/CS/2021 filed by Ibeawuchi Ernest Alex, Dennis Nna Amadi, Emmanuel Stephen and Umezirike Onucha against Uche Secondus (1st defendant) and the PDP (2nd defendant).

The judge, after reading the affidavit in support of the motion of ex parte as well as the written address, and after hearing the submission of H.A. Bello, counsel to applicants, granted the interim injunction restraining Secondus from parading himself as the national chairman of the PDP.

Excerpt from the order read: “That an order restraining the 1st defendant from parading himself as a member of the 2nd defendant or the national chairman of the defendant or performing the functions of national chairman of the 2nd defendant or calling, attending or presiding over any meeting of the 2nd defendant or any committee of the 2nd defendant at the Ward, Local Government or State level or calling for any Ward, Local Government or State Congress of the 2nd defendant or setting up committees for such Congresses or participating in any activity of the 2nd defendant whatsoever whilst on suspension as a member of the 2nd defendant pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.”

The judge also granted leave to serve by substituted means the originating summons, motion on notice, all orders made by the court and all subsequent processes on the respondent by pasting same on his gate at No.1 William Jumbo Street, Old G.R.A Port Harcourt.

According to a statement signed by Kelvin Ebiri, Special Assistant (media) to the Rivers State Governor, the judge further granted leave to serve by substituted means orders made by the court on the respondents by publishing same in a national newspaper.